Kari suttom
Senior Associate
regsitered psychologist

Specialising in the implementation of Positive Education within special education

Kari Sutton is an experienced educator with over 20 years experience in a variety of settings. Kari was part of the world first Authentic Happiness Coaching program in 2003, developed by Martin Seligman, where she was trained in the principles of Positive Psychology by leading academics in the field. She also completed the Graduate Certificate of Business Wellbeing, which focussed on how Positive Psychology applies to business and organisational wellbeing. This was the first academic course of its type globally and was supported by the Sydney Business School (part of the University of Wollongong). Kari also has specialist training in Positive Education and has been actively applying the science within a wide variety of settings for the past decade.

Kari has a diverse background holding a variety of different leadership positions at schools, working with the public service, community groups and the private sector delivering workshops and training as well as developing interventions aimed at increasing personal and professional wellbeing. 

Kari has worked with both school leaders and teachers to develop policies and curriculum materials based on the scientific literature from the field of Positive Psychology, assisting schools to tailor Positive Education programs to their context. She has a particular interest in how Positive Education can be implemented within special education and recognises the considerable potential for Positive Education interventions to make a significant difference in the lives of students with a variety of additional learning needs.

Kari conducts seminars and workshops on Positive Education, Positive Leadership, Gratitude, and how to maintain and enhance mental health and well-being. She is also a member of the International Positive Psychology Association, the Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association, the Institute for Learning Professionals and Early Childhood Australia.

Kari is passionate about the role Positive Psychology and Mental Fitness can play within educational settings to enhance the wellbeing of both staff and the young people they work with on a daily basis. 

Kari is a Senior Associate of the Positive Psychology Institute, a leading psychological services provider and leader in the field of Mental Fitness and Positive Education in Australia. Kari and her PPI associates consult on applied positive psychology in education to primary and secondary schools across the country. This includes the co-creation and implementation of a Positive Education strategy and associated training and support.